Body size categorization in anorexia nervosa using a morphing instrument

Objective: To test the feasibility of the technique of "morphing" for body image assessment purposes and to investigate whether females with anorexia nervosa (AN) categorize other female's body sizes similarly to controls. Me thod: A morphing movie showing the transformation of a thin woman into an o bese woman was presented. Females with AN and thin controls selected the si zes corresponding to the transitions between the body size categories thin, normal, fat, and obese. They were instructed to look at the woman in the m ovie as themselves (Self) versus someone else (Other). Results: The AN grou p chose significantly lower transitions associated with the categories thin , normal, fat, and obese under the Self instruction than controls. Similarl y, they selected lower settings for all but the obese category when looking at the body as someone else's. It was concluded that females with AN displ ay a harsher judgment not only of their own body size and shape, but also o f that of another woman, than women without an eating disorder. Discussion: The morphing instrument was found to be sufficiently realistic, detailed, and sensitive for its intended purposes. (C) 1999 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc .